DOCSLIB.ORG

Podocyte Complexity and Terrestriality in Frogs

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Podocyte Complexity and Terrestriality in Frogs Journal of the Royal Society of Western Australia, 85:181-182, 2002 Podocyte complexity and terrestriality in frogs H Y Chan, J E O’Shea, P C Withers & T Stewart Zoology, School of Animal Biology M092, University of Western Australia, Crawley WA 6009 Figure 1. High resolution photomicrographs of Bufo marinus (Manuscript received June 2002; accepted November 2002) podocytes showing glomerulus within a Bowman’s capsule (left; scale bar 50 µm) and podocytes on the glomerular capillaries Abstract. We extend Richter & Splechtna’s (1996) study (right; scale bar 10 µm). of the morphology of amphibian podocytes with respect to habitat aridity and water regulation, and describe the perfused and fixed South African clawed toad (Xenopus method for calculating complexity index of podocyte laevis) was obtained from other experiments. Frog pedicels. Our results show that Notaden nichollsi, the most kidneys were perfusion-fixed with 4% paraformaldehyde terrestrial species examined so far, has the highest in cacodylate buffer and post-fixed with osmium- podocyte complexity. The relationship between podocyte thiocarbohydrazide (Richter & Splechtna 1996). They complexity and habitat suggests that glomerular were then mounted on SEM stubs and critical point filtration rate is an important parameter related to habitat dried. A Philips 505 scanning electron microscope was aridity and water regulation in frogs. used to locate glomeruli on the kidney surface, then a Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope JSM 6300F was used for higher resolution imaging. Introduction Podocytes on the surface of glomeruli in the kidney of Amphibians are found in habitats ranging from fully frogs were difficult to locate, and it was also difficult to aquatic to fully terrestrial and sometimes extremely arid. obtain photographs of the podocytes with sufficient The permeable skin of most amphibians allows resolution for clear definition of the branching patterns. substantial trans-cutaneous water and solute flux, and Nevertheless, we obtained photomicrographs (e.g. Fig 1) frogs have an effective water regulation system for the calculation of podocyte complexity for three comprising a very distinct lymphatic system, kidneys species, the aquatic Xenopus laevis (n =1 individual, 3 and bladder (Steen 1929; Ewer 1952; Bentley et al. 1958; glomeruli, 5 podocytes), the mesic terrestrial Bufo marinus Middler et al. 1968; Bentley 1969; Shoemaker & Nagy (n = 1; 1 glomerulus, 3 podocytes) and the arid terrestrial 1977; Shoemaker et al. 1992). Notaden nichollsi (n = 1; 1 glomerulus, 2 podocytes). Water regulation by frogs is determined in part by Podocyte complexity index glomerular filtration rate (GFR), the rate of water entry Richter & Splechtna (1996) did not provide any detail into the lumen of the renal tubules (Heller 1950). GFR is of the methodology for calculating the index for determined morphologically by the microstructure of podocyte complexity, but merely cited Laskowski & podocyte cells that cover glomerular capillaries, as well Pohlit (1974), a biophysical book published only in as physiological factors such as plasma hydrostatic and German. So, we describe here our interpretation of the colloid osmotic pressure. The pedicels (foot-like methodology required to replicate Richter & Splechtna’s projections) of podocytes form filtration slits, the number (1996) calculations. and size of which influences GFR. Firstly, the number of branches in each branching Richter & Splechtna (1996) used scanning electron level (from 1 to 4) of a podocyte cell body is determined. microscopy to examine the complexity of podocytes for a Primary level podocyte processes branch out to variety of frogs differing in terrestriality. They secondary level processes, and then to tertiary and distinguished five types of podocyte process systems, quaternary levels. In determining branch levels in each and suggested that podocyte pedicel microstructure was podocyte group, the main branch always retains the correlated with habitat i.e. podocyte complexity increases status of the previous branch level. The main branch is with terrestriality. Aquatic frogs have fewer high- defined as the initial branch extending from the cell branching levels than terrestrial species. We examine body, and with the continuation that provides the podocyte complexity for the Australian frog Notaden maximum branching complexity. nichollsi, and Xenopus laevis and Bufo marinus, using a similar protocol to Richter & Splechtna (1996). After the branching levels are determined, the total number of branch endings is counted, and the fraction (Pi) of branch endings belonging to each branch level is Materials and Methods calculated. For each group, Pi is multiplied by the branch level (Zi), and the complexity index (bit value) for each A desert spadefoot toad (Notaden nichollsi) and a cane podocyte cell body is calculated by summing the PiZi toad (Bufo marinus) were killed by double pithing, and a values. The complexity index is defined such that the higher the bit value, the more complex the structure is. © Royal Society of Western Australia 2002 An example of how to determine the branching levels of 181 Journal of the Royal Society of Western Australia, 85(4), December 2002 Figure 3. Relationship between habitat and podocyte complexity (adapted from Richter & Splechtna 1996). Values from the present study are Xenopus laevis (X; 1.27 bits), Bufo marinus (B; 2.32 bits) and Notaden nichollsi (N; 2.46 bits). Species from Richter & Splechtna (1996) are; 1, Xenopus laevis; 2, Rana ridibunda; 3, Rana esculenta; 4, Bombina variegata scabra; 5, Discoglossus pictus; 6, Rana lessonae; 7, Alytes cysternasii; 8, Bufo regularis; 9, Rana temporaria; 10, Rana dalmatia. between podocyte microstructure, kidney function and water balance for the many and diverse species of anuran amphibians. Acknowledgements: Collection of frogs was under permit from the Department of Conservation and Land Management, and Total number of branch endings = 5 experimentation was under approval from the Animal Ethics Committee of the University of Western Australia. We thank the Neurobiology Research Group of the Department of Zoology (UWA) for perfused and Pi Z i PiZi 1o 1/5 1 1/5 fixed Xenopus laevis specimens. 2o 3/5 2 6/5 3o 1/5 3 3/5 References 10/5 = 2.0 bit Bentley PJ, Lee AK & Main AR 1958 Comparison of dehydration and hydration of two genera of frogs (Heleioporus and Figure 2. Example of calculation of podocyte complexity index Neobatrachus) that live in areas of varying aridity. Journal of for branching level for podocyte pedicels (type III, from Richter Experimental Biology 35: 677-684. & Splechtna 1996) using schematic of primary pedicel branch Bentley PJ 1969 Neurohypophysial function in Amphibia: (1°), secondary branches (2°) and tertiary branch (3°). hormone activity in the plasma. Journal of Endocrinology 43: 359-369. the processes of podocytes is shown in Fig 2. The Ewer RF 1952 The effects of posterior pituitary extracts on water podocyte complexity index for an individual podocyte is balance in Bufo carens and Xenopus laevis, together with some determined by taking the average SP Z value for several general considerations of anuran water economy. The i i Journal of Experimental Biology 29:429-439. randomly selected podocyte cell bodies. Heller H 1950 The comparative physiology of the neurohypophysis. Experientia 6:368-376. Results and Discussion Laskowski W & Pohlit W 1974 Biophysik. Bd 1: Struktur, Energie, Information und Bausteine belebter Systeme. The average complexity index obtained for pedicels of George Thieme Verlag, Stuttgart. podocytes from X. laevis was low, at 1.27 bits; it was 2.32 Middler SA, Kleeman C R & Edwards E 1968 Lymph bits for B. marinus; and was highest (2.46 bits) for N. mobilization following acute blood loss in the toad, Bufo nichollsi. The bit value obtained for X. laevis was very marinus. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology 24:343- close to that of Richter & Splechtna (1996). Direct 353. comparison between the complexity indices obtained in Richter S & Splechtna H 1996 The structure of anuran podocyte this study with those of Richter & Splechtna (1996) shows — determined by ecology? Acta Zoologica 77:335-348. a strong relationship between podocyte pedicel Shoemaker VH & Nagy KA 1977 Osmoregulation in amphibians complexity and terrestriality (Fig 3), presumably and reptiles. Annual Review of Physiology 39:449-571. mediated by variation in glomerular filtration rate. Shoemaker VH, Hillman SS, Hillyard SD, Jackson DC, McClanahan LL, Withers PC & Wygoda ML 1992 Exchange The podocyte pedicel index for N. nichollsi, the most of water, ions, and respiratory gases in terrestrial arid terrestrial amphibian examined so far, is also the amphibians. In: Environmental Physiology of the highest value measured, conforming well with the Amphibians (eds M E Feder & W W Burggren). University of pattern established by Richter & Splechtna (1996). Chicago Press, Chicago, 125-150. Further studies of additional species will clearly be Steen WB 1929 On the permeability of the frogs’ bladder to productive in more fully documenting the relationship water. Anatomical Record 43:215-220. 182.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Cravens Peak Scientific Study Report
    Geography Monograph Series No. 13 Cravens Peak Scientific Study Report The Royal Geographical Society of Queensland Inc. Brisbane, 2009 The Royal Geographical Society of Queensland Inc. is a non-profit organization that promotes the study of Geography within educational, scientific, professional, commercial and broader general communities. Since its establishment in 1885, the Society has taken the lead in geo- graphical education, exploration and research in Queensland. Published by: The Royal Geographical Society of Queensland Inc. 237 Milton Road, Milton QLD 4064, Australia Phone: (07) 3368 2066; Fax: (07) 33671011 Email: [email protected] Website: www.rgsq.org.au ISBN 978 0 949286 16 8 ISSN 1037 7158 © 2009 Desktop Publishing: Kevin Long, Page People Pty Ltd (www.pagepeople.com.au) Printing: Snap Printing Milton (www.milton.snapprinting.com.au) Cover: Pemberton Design (www.pembertondesign.com.au) Cover photo: Cravens Peak. Photographer: Nick Rains 2007 State map and Topographic Map provided by: Richard MacNeill, Spatial Information Coordinator, Bush Heritage Australia (www.bushheritage.org.au) Other Titles in the Geography Monograph Series: No 1. Technology Education and Geography in Australia Higher Education No 2. Geography in Society: a Case for Geography in Australian Society No 3. Cape York Peninsula Scientific Study Report No 4. Musselbrook Reserve Scientific Study Report No 5. A Continent for a Nation; and, Dividing Societies No 6. Herald Cays Scientific Study Report No 7. Braving the Bull of Heaven; and, Societal Benefits from Seasonal Climate Forecasting No 8. Antarctica: a Conducted Tour from Ancient to Modern; and, Undara: the Longest Known Young Lava Flow No 9. White Mountains Scientific Study Report No 10.
    [Show full text]
  • December 2010 Issue
    FROGCALLNewsletter No. 110 The Frog and Tadpole Study Group of NSW INC December 2010 [email protected] PO Box 296 Rockdale NSW 2216 www.fats.org.au ABN: 34282154794 Best Frog pics FATS Frogographic winners Horror in the Shire! Our President reports on FATS’s role in stopping Cane toads in the shire Anstis in FNQ Marion goes the extra mile for unique frogs and eggs Frogging Out Back David Nelson reports in Image: Neobatrachus centralis, Desert trilling frog. David Nelson FROG & TADPOLE www.fats.org.au STUDY GROUP NSW Toads on the March Recent Toads Invasions of the Shire Toads quickly spread from the cane fields In January 2010, Sutherland Shire Council raised Toads Invade across Queensland and moved into the the alarm over an apparent steep increase in Toads Northern Territory and New South Wales (Figure the number of toads being found in the Shire- 3). When they reached Brisbane they quickly especially around Taren Point. Instead of single became a common sight around houses and toads being found, multiples were being found the Shire light poles at night (Figure 4).The first toads or reported. In addition, the toads ranged reached NSW in 1967 (at Murwillimbah). Their enormously in sizes. spread down the east coast of New South Invade Wales has been slower than their trip down The Response the east coast of Queensland. Toads were first Sutherland Shire Council decided to devote reported in Sydney in 1983 and the first record resources into determining the extent of the for the Shire was 1986. toad invasion .I was engaged to do the initial assessment of the problem and to advise on Fig 3.
    [Show full text]
  • Wildlife Matters Wildlife Conservancy
    australian wildlife matters wildlife conservancy Spring 2009 Pungalina reveals one of Australia’s rarest mammals Carpentarian Pseudantechinus 2 australian saving australia’s threatened wildlife wildlife Pictograph conservancy Welcome to the Spring 2009 edition of Wildlife Matters. As this edition goes to print, we are in the process of fi nalising the acquisition of Bowra (see pages 4-5), a 14,000 the awc mission hectare property located in the heart of the Mulga Lands in Queensland. Bowra will The mission of Australian Wildlife Conservancy be our 21st sanctuary, bringing the AWC network to more than 2.56 million hectares (AWC) is the effective conservation of all (6.3 million acres). Australian animal species and the habitats in While the overall scale of the portfolio is impressive, it is not the number of properties or which they live. To achieve this mission, our hectares that really count. A more accurate measure of the value of the portfolio is the actions are focused on: number of species and ecosystems that occur within the AWC estate. In this respect, • Establishing a network of sanctuaries the statistics are even more impressive – for example, around 80% of all Australian which protect threatened wildlife and terrestrial bird species and over 60% of all terrestrial mammal species occur on one or ecosystems: AWC now manages 20 more of our sanctuaries. sanctuaries covering over 2.56 million The fact that our portfolio captures such a high percentage of Australia’s wildlife species hectares (6.3 million acres). refl ects a deliberate, science-based strategy to ensure that AWC invests in properties • Implementing practical, on-ground of the highest environmental value.
    [Show full text]
  • Predation by Introduced Cats Felis Catus on Australian Frogs: Compilation of Species Records and Estimation of Numbers Killed
    Predation by introduced cats Felis catus on Australian frogs: compilation of species records and estimation of numbers killed J. C. Z. WoinarskiA,M, S. M. LeggeB,C, L. A. WoolleyA,L, R. PalmerD, C. R. DickmanE, J. AugusteynF, T. S. DohertyG, G. EdwardsH, H. GeyleA, H. McGregorI, J. RileyJ, J. TurpinK and B. P. MurphyA ANESP Threatened Species Recovery Hub, Research Institute for the Environment and Livelihoods, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, NT 0909, Australia. BNESP Threatened Species Recovery Hub, Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation Research, University of Queensland, St Lucia, Qld 4072, Australia. CFenner School of the Environment and Society, Linnaeus Way, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 2602, Australia. DWestern Australian Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, Bentley, WA 6983, Australia. ENESP Threatened Species Recovery Hub, Desert Ecology Research Group, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia. FQueensland Parks and Wildlife Service, Red Hill, Qld 4701, Australia. GCentre for Integrative Ecology, School of Life and Environmental Sciences (Burwood campus), Deakin University, Geelong, Vic. 3216, Australia. HNorthern Territory Department of Land Resource Management, PO Box 1120, Alice Springs, NT 0871, Australia. INESP Threatened Species Recovery Hub, School of Biological Sciences, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tas. 7001, Australia. JSchool of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol, 24 Tyndall Avenue, Bristol BS8 1TQ, United Kingdom. KDepartment of Terrestrial Zoology, Western Australian Museum, 49 Kew Street, Welshpool, WA 6106, Australia. LPresent address: WWF-Australia, 3 Broome Lotteries House, Cable Beach Road, Broome, WA 6276, Australia. MCorresponding author. Email: [email protected] Table S1. Data sources used in compilation of cat predation on frogs.
    [Show full text]
  • ARAZPA YOTF Infopack.Pdf
    ARAZPA 2008 Year of the Frog Campaign Information pack ARAZPA 2008 Year of the Frog Campaign Printing: The ARAZPA 2008 Year of the Frog Campaign pack was generously supported by Madman Printing Phone: +61 3 9244 0100 Email: [email protected] Front cover design: Patrick Crawley, www.creepycrawleycartoons.com Mobile: 0401 316 827 Email: [email protected] Front cover photo: Pseudophryne pengilleyi, Northern Corroboree Frog. Photo courtesy of Lydia Fucsko. Printed on 100% recycled stock 2 ARAZPA 2008 Year of the Frog Campaign Contents Foreword.........................................................................................................................................5 Foreword part II ………………………………………………………………………………………… ...6 Introduction.....................................................................................................................................9 Section 1: Why A Campaign?....................................................................................................11 The Connection Between Man and Nature........................................................................11 Man’s Effect on Nature ......................................................................................................11 Frogs Matter ......................................................................................................................11 The Problem ......................................................................................................................12 The Reason
    [Show full text]
  • Cane River Conservation Park, Western Australia 2011, a Bush
    BUSH BLITZ SPECIES DISCOVERY PROGRAM Cane River Conservation Park WA 20 June–1 July 2011 What is Contents Bush Blitz? Bush Blitz is a Summary 3 multi-million dollar Abbreviations 3 partnership between the Introduction 5 Australian Government, Reserve Overview 6 BHP Billiton and Earthwatch Methods 8 Australia to document plants Results 11 and animals in selected properties across Australia’s Discussion 14 National Reserve System. Appendix A: Species Lists 33 Fauna 34 Vertebrates 34 This innovative partnership Invertebrates 42 harnesses the expertise of many Flora 50 of Australia’s top scientists from Appendix B: Threatened Species 57 museums, herbaria, universities, Fauna 58 and other institutions and Vertebrates 58 Flora 60 organisations across the country. Appendix C: Exotic and Pest Species 61 Fauna 62 Vertebrates 62 Invertebrates 63 Flora 64 Glossary 65 2 Bush Blitz survey report Summary A two-week Bush Blitz was conducted in Cane River Conservation Park in the Pilbara region of Western Australia in June 2011. A total of Abbreviations 645 species were identified, 346 of which had not been recorded previously in the park. Added to earlier records, 840 fauna and flora species have EPBC Act now been identified in the park. Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Commonwealth) In this study, 61 putative species new to science were found. These were all invertebrates and NRS consisted of 32 stygofauna (animals that live National Reserve System entirely aquatic lives within groundwater systems), 28 terrestrial invertebrates and 1 water beetle. Some insect species, notably The park also has a rich vertebrate fauna. Reptiles bees and moths, were under-represented in are particularly abundant: 45 species were identified the specimen collection, probably due to the in the survey, and a total of 80 species have been season of collection.
    [Show full text]
  • Frog Census 1999 Frog Census 1999
    FROG CENSUS 1999 FROG CENSUS 1999 Cover photographs: Top: Smooth Frog (Geocrinia laevis) Photograph by Steven Walker Middle: Desert Froglet (Crinia deserticola) Photograph from Bayly C, Hunwick J, Hutchinson M, Mahony M. 1990. FrogWatch Resource Materials, South Australian FrogWatch Committee, Adelaide. Bottom: Peron’s Tree Frog (Litoria peroni) Photograph by Steven Walker Document production: Environment Protection Agency Department for Environment and Heritage GPO Box 2607 ADELAIDE SA 5001 Telephone: (08) 8204 2000 Facsimile: (08) 8204 9393 Freecall (country): 1800 623 445 ISSN 1327-8592 OCTOBER 2000 © Environment Protection Agency This document may be reproduced wholly or in part for the purpose of study or training, subject to the inclusion of an acknowledgment of the source, and to its not being used for commercial purposes or sale. Reproduction for purposes other than those given above requires the prior written permission of the Environment Protection Agency. Printed on recycled paper FROG CENSUS 1999 A report on community monitoring of water quality and habitat conditions in South Australia using frogs as indicators By SJ Walker, BM Hill, PM Goonan EPA Frog Census 1999 Frog Census 1999 CONTENTS ACKNOWLEDGMENTS v SUMMARY vii 1. INTRODUCTION 4 2. METHODS 3 3. RESULTS 4 3.1 Observer and Location Details 4 3.2 Frog Species Abundance and Distribution 4 3.3 Distribution and Abundance of each Species 10 3.3.1 Family Hylidae 10 3.3.2 Family Leptodactylidae 15 3.4 No Frogs Recorded 29 3.5 Species Diversity 30 4. DISCUSSION 31 4.1Frogs of
    [Show full text]
  • Woinarski J. C. Z., Legge S. M., Woolley L. A., Palmer R., Dickman C
    Woinarski J. C. Z., Legge S. M., Woolley L. A., Palmer R., Dickman C. R., Augusteyn J., Doherty T. S., Edwards G., Geyle H., McGregor H., Riley J., Turpin J., Murphy B.P. (2020) Predation by introduced cats Felis catus on Australian frogs: compilation of species records and estimation of numbers killed. Wildlife Research, Vol. 47, Iss. 8, Pp 580-588. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1071/WR19182 1 2 3 Predation by introduced cats Felis catus on Australian frogs: compilation of species’ 4 records and estimation of numbers killed. 5 6 7 J.C.Z. Woinarskia*, S.M. Leggeb, L.A. Woolleya,k, R. Palmerc, C.R. Dickmand, J. Augusteyne, T.S. Dohertyf, 8 G. Edwardsg, H. Geylea, H. McGregorh, J. Rileyi, J. Turpinj, and B.P. Murphya 9 10 a NESP Threatened Species Recovery Hub, Research Institute for the Environment and Livelihoods, 11 Charles Darwin University, Darwin, NT 0909, Australia 12 b NESP Threatened Species Recovery Hub, Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation Research, 13 University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia; AND Fenner School of the Environment and 14 Society, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 2602, Australia 15 c Western Australian Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, Bentley, WA 6983, 16 Australia 17 d NESP Threatened Species Recovery Hub, Desert Ecology Research Group, School of Life and 18 Environmental Sciences, University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia 19 e Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service, Red Hill, QLD 4701, Australia 20 f Centre for Integrative Ecology, School of Life and Environmental Sciences (Burwood campus), Deakin 21 University, Geelong, VIC 3216, Australia 22 g Northern Territory Department of Land Resource Management, PO Box 1120, Alice Springs, NT 0871, 23 Australia 24 h NESP Threatened Species Recovery Hub, School of Biological Sciences, University of Tasmania, 25 Hobart, TAS 7001, Australia i School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol, 24 Tyndall Ave, Bristol BS8 1TQ, United Kingdom.
    [Show full text]
  • Frog Census 2000
    FROG CENSUS 2000 EPA environment and heritage Government Soufh duifralia of South Australia FROG CENSUS 2000 A report on community monitoringofwater quality and habitat condition in South Australia using frogs as indicators by S.J. Walker and P.M. Goonan FROG CENSUS 2000 Cover photographs: Top: Knife Footed Frog (Cyclorana cultripes) Photograph from FrogWatch Resource Materials Middle: Southern Bell Frog (Litoria raniformis) Photograph by Steven Walker Bottom: Brown Tree Frog (Litoria ewingi) Photograph by Steven Walker Environment Protection Agency Department for Environment and Heritage GPO Box 2607 Adelaide SA 5001 Telephone: (08)82042000 Fax: (08)82049393 Freecall (country): 1800 623445 Web site: www.epa.sa.gov.au ISSN 1327 -8592 July 2001 © Environment Protection Authority This document may be reproduced wholly or in part for the purpose of study or training, subject to the inclusion of an acknowledgment of the source and to its not being used for commercial purposes or sale. Reproduction for purposes other than those given above requires the prior written permission of the Environment Protection Agency. `D Printed on recycled paper CONTENTS SUMMARY V ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ix 1. INTRODUCTION 1 2. METHODS 3 3. RESULTS 4 3.1 Observer and location details 4 3.2 Frog species abundance and distribution 4 3.3 Species diversity 9 3.4 Specific frog distribution and abundance 10 4. DISCUSSION 30 4.1 Frogs of South Australia 30 4.2 Frogs as indicators 31 4.3 Comparisons with previous years 31 4.4 Future directions 31 APPENDIX 1: FROG CENSUS 2000
    [Show full text]
  • Appendix N: Biodiversity - Fauna and Threatened Species Report
    Arafura Resouces Ltd Nolans Environmental Impact Statement volume three N Biodiversity – Fauna and Threatened Species Report Appendix N Arafura Resources Limited Nolans Project Environmental Impact Statement Appendix N: Biodiversity - Fauna and Threatened Species Report May 2016 Executive summary Introduction GHD was engaged by Arafura Resources Ltd to undertake a range of biodiversity assessments of the Nolans Rare Earths Study area. This report presents information pertaining to fauna within and surrounding the Study area. The main objective of this report is to address the biodiversity assessment requirements (fauna component) of the Terms of Reference set by the Northern Territory Environment Protection Authority (NT EPA) for assessment of the Nolans Rare Earths Project. These Terms of Reference take into account formal assessment and approval under the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act 1999, by way of the NT/Commonwealth bilateral environmental assessment process. This report describes the methods used and results obtained from desktop and field surveys spanning two main periods: late 2010 and early 2011, and mid-2015. The assessed area included the proposed mine site, processing site, accommodation facility, access roads, haul route, utilities corridor (potable water pipeline, water supply pipeline, power line corridor) and borefield area. The assessed area in 2010/11 also included a proposed haul route that has since been removed from the area of investigation. However, results from surveys in that area are discussed where relevant, because that area contained habitats that are similar to those in the current footprint. During the course of the assessments for this project, the Commonwealth Department of the Environment made changes to the threatened species lists considered under the EPBC Act.
    [Show full text]
  • Survey of the Vertebrate Fauna of Fort Bowie National Historic Site
    Cooperative National Park Resources Studies Unit ARIZONA Univer,ity of Arizona Tucson, Arbon. 85721 WMtern Allgion National Park Service Department of the Interior San Francisco, Ca. 94102 COOPERATIVE NATIONAL PARK RESOURCES STUDIES UNIT University of Ari'LOnarrueson . National Par k Service The Cooperative National Pouk Resources Studies Unit/University of Ar izona (CPSU /UA j was established August 16. 1973. The unit is funded by the National Park Service and reporu to the Western Regional Office. San Francisco; It is located on the campus of tile University of Ari;,.ona and reports also to the Office of the Vice-President for Research_ Adm inistrative assistance is provided by the Western Arche­ ological and Conservation Center, the School of Renewable Natural Resources, Clnd the Deputmcnt of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. The unit's professional personnel hold adjunct faculty and/or research associate appointments with the University. The M.ttenals and Ecological Te~ting laboratory is maintained at the Western Archeological and Conservation Center, 1415 N. 6th Ave., Tucson, Ari;,.onl 85705. The CPSU/UA provides a multidisciplinary approach to studies in the natural and cultural sciences. Funded projects iden tified by park management arc investigated by National Park Service and university researchers under the coordinatio n of the Un it Leader. Unit members also cooperate with researchers involved in projects funded by non-National Par k Service sources in order to obtain scientific information on Park Service lands. NOTICE: This document contains information of a preliminary nature and was prepared primarily for internal usc in the Natioual Park Scrvlce. This inform;ltion is l:!QI intended for use in open literature prior to publication by the investigators' names unless petlllinion is obtained in writing from the investigators named and from the Unit Leader.
    [Show full text]
  • 1. RESUMO a Estivação É Caracterizada Como Um Conjunto De
    1. RESUMO A estivação é caracterizada como um conjunto de alterações fisiológicas e comportamentais relacionadas com a redução do metabolismo e a permanência em micro-habitats específicos durante a fase de estiagem. Na caatinga brasileira foram observadas ao menos três espécies que estivam, sendo duas da família Leiuperidae, Pleurodema diplolistris e Physalaemus albifrons e uma da família Cycloramphidae, Proceratophrys cristiceps. Ainda que encontradas no mesmo micro-habitat durante a estivação, estas três espécies exibiram padrões distintos de alteração do desempenho locomotor entre as duas estações marcantes do ano (seca e chuvosa). Enquanto P. diplolistris reduziu em cerca de 47% a velocidade de seu desempenho locomotor durante a fase de estiagem, as outras duas espécies, P. cristiceps e P. albifrons, reduziram cerca de 87 e 83%, respectivamente. Contudo, a redução da taxa metabólica aeróbia foi de aproximadamente 50% para as três espécies. A comparação entre as estações marcantes do ano ainda revelou que as três espécies estudadas apresentam diferentes padrões de alteração na concentração de substrato energéticos e na atividade de enzimas representativas do metabolismo energético no fígado e musculatura dos membros posteriores. A manutenção hídrica também foi diferente entre as três espécies, sapos P. diplolistris exibiram mudança na profundidade em que foram encontrados ao longo da estiagem, migrando verticalmente em direção a umidade ao longa da estação seca, diferentemente sapos P. cristiceps e P. albifrons não exibiram mudanças na profundidade, mas sim, alterações na osmolaridade plasmática durante as fases da de estiagem, indicando a ocorrência de mecanismos diversas de regulação hídrica. 1 2. ABSTRACT Estivation is defined as a set of physiological and behavioral changes associated to decreased metabolism and permanence in specific microhabitats during the dry season.
    [Show full text]